303 Fear/Faith/Revenge

The top-grossing Thai movie of 1998 (just ahead of Crime Kings, but some way behind Dang Bireley's in 1997) is a murder thriller set in a Catholic boys' school. St George's prides itself on the inspiration of the dragon-slaying saint, but when the new pupils of Form 303 start investigating the fate of a handsome predecessor who died in mysterious circumstances, something worse than a mythical monster is unleashed on the school. It takes half a dozen grisly deaths to bring the villain to account - and the truth to light. With its hand-picked cast of mixed-race actors, this is probably the most knowingly 'foreign' Thai film ever made, a virtual addendum to the cycle of stalk'n'slash movies sparked by Scream. But King's film plays more like a male variation on Carrie, complete with spirit-Éreadings on the ouija board, telekinetic powers and sexualised threats. (T.R.)